A "future distributed enterprise" refers to a business that leverages digital tools and operations from any location to enhance various customer and employee experiences. The idea of a distributed enterprise is not new; consider a retailer with a head office and multiple branches. Remote working and distributed enterprises have been around, but the pandemic highlighted their value and sustainability. Today, we see an even more widespread adoption of the distributed enterprise model than before. The legacy tools and technologies which we used to operate need to change or should be updated to support the "future distributed enterprise". Many of the tools that companies are trying to use to adapt to the increasing distribution of their IT assets are designed for an outdated model.
The term "future distributed enterprise" should be used to avoid confusion with the traditional distributed enterprise and to dispel the notion that we have fully grasped the concept of a "future distributed enterprise". Unlike a distributed enterprise lacking digital tools and the capability for operations from any location, a "future distributed enterprise" is proximate to its employees and customers, enabling operation from anywhere through digital tools and technology. It's not just another technology fad that is trying to get businesses to spend more on new technology tools but in most cases, it is proving to devalue an IT organisations assets if not taken seriously or recognized quickly enough.
A major European consumer goods distributor needed to upgrade its outdated analog surveillance system to an IP surveillance system for better video quality and monitoring capabilities. The existing infrastructure posed significant challenges due to the long distances between the analog cameras and the nearest data closet. Anixter and Telefónica recommended NVT Phybridge Ethernet over Coax (EoC) solutions. These solutions allowed the customer to use their existing coax infrastructure to deploy IP cameras without the need for extensive re-cabling, saving time and reducing complexity. The customer saved over €20,000 in infrastructure costs and was able to deploy all required cameras simultaneously. The NVT Phybridge EoC solutions provided a robust and secure IP backbone, enhancing the overall security and efficiency of the surveillance system5.[2]
By holding on to these legacy technologies and outdated business models you might be letting new opportunities in your industry go unnoticed. By not taking notice of these opportunities as you should, you allow your competitors to overtake your market share. The "future distributed enterprise" is a digital enabler and by far outpaces any legacy distributed enterprise in terms of productivity and customer satisfaction. You can think of it in terms of the usual taxi/cab or bus industry vs Uber. Both are distributed enterprises but only Uber has the digital tools and is in essence a truly anywhere operation. Uber is not only servicing its customers and providing work for its employees but gathering much-needed data and analytics that it will use to its benefit in the future. It can adapt to changes more responsively and mitigate business risks faster. In the near and far future companies that have enabled these digital tools and truly embraced anywhere operations will by far outperform companies that didn't.
For the "future distributed enterprise" to thrive, it is crucial to have sustainable and reliable power, along with mobile and cost-effective communication channels. Without these core elements, the transition to and benefits of a future distributed enterprise will continually pose challenges. We are tasked daily with abandoning our legacy systems and merging our standalone systems into the digital framework. It is a mistake to view the "future distributed enterprise" simply as an extension of the legacy system. Competitors with user-friendly digital tools and smooth operations can readily attract your customers. To stay competitive in the dynamic digital economy, businesses must shed outdated technologies and business models to fully embrace the opportunities offered by the future distributed enterprise. In conclusion, our world has undergone significant changes, and it is vital for us to decide whether to hold onto our traditional methods or adapt to these changes. Unfortunately, we cannot control the rate of change or the choices of others. However, it is essential to embrace the idea of reevaluating the potential impact of a distributed enterprise on our organizations, without letting fear impede our advancement.
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